- Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia
- Interviews
Amelia's interview
How did all start?
I used to be able to feel my heart palpitating when I went to bed at night as a young teenager. One day in health class, we were talking about blood pressure, and my heart rate increased dramatically. My mum picked me up from school and ended up calling an ambulance as we had no idea what was happening. My heart rate was around 225 beats per minute and my lips were turning blue.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
I was diagnosed with IST when I was 15 years old. Initially, doctors believed I had Supraventricular Tachycardia, however they soon realised that I was not having episodes but rather a constant high heart rate. It took them a couple of weeks to diagnose me with IST and a few different medications to eventually put me on a treatment plan.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Medication and rest has really helped me.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Being on Metoprolol. It helps me to live a normal life and I take it morning and night.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
The anxiety. Because my heart naturally goes fast it creates this viscous cycle where I feel nervous or anxious and my heart rate further increases. It’s starts as a physical symptom, creates anxiety and continues until out of control. I am much better at dealing with it now and I do not feel as anxious while on medication. At the beginning it was very tough though.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
My family and friends have been very supportive. The thing I found tough was people caring at the beginning and then after time becoming desensitised or forgetting. I don’t like to bring up my heart issue all the time, but sometimes it is inevitable. I can’t go on long or hard hikes so when my family does that I have to remind them, and I struggle in the heat during summer. Certain social activities like that I am definitely impacted by, however I like to surround myself with uplifting and supportive people so I have a great support system these days.
What things have you stopped doing?
Walking/running/exercise in the sun or heat. Saunas, drinking coffee, activities that will raise my heart rate.
What do you think about the future?
I feel good. I can only grow from this and be helpful to other people. At times I worry but then I remember that I have a lot of people around me. One thing that I do worry about a bit is pregnancy, because it is one thing that I don’t know how my body reacts now and once I am pregnant I can’t just change something to make myself feel better. Overall I am excited about the future and convinced I will overcome obstacles.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
When I finished school in 2011. I felt so independent and excited about life. The ones in between now and then were also good with ups and downs. This year so far has been one of the best, as I have gotten married, moved out of home and spent a lot of time with family. I have also just gotten two puppies.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Basically all the things I can’t do now. And pretty much just not have to remember my tablets night and day, just to not have my heart constantly in the back of my mind. I’m reminded of it every day.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Full of love and the people I love.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Give yourself the time to get through it. It seems impossible, scary, tiring and like no one gets it but there are people out there that do. Try not to let anxiety take a hold of you because once you can control that you will feel much better. Also that no one is the same and it’s ok for you to need support:
